Lewis Structure

CH4 Lewis Structure

Methane

CH4 has carbon in the center with four single bonds to hydrogen and no lone pairs on carbon.

Use the diagram and steps below to check the methane Lewis structure, CH4 Lewis dot structure, valence electrons, formal charges, and molecular shape.

CH4

Methane

8 e-
C H H H H
Valence electrons8
Central atomC
GeometryTetrahedral
Bond angleAbout 109.5 deg
PolarityNonpolar
Electron geometryTetrahedral

VSEPR Geometry

Molecular geometry Tetrahedral
Electron geometry Tetrahedral
Bond angle About 109.5 deg
Polarity Nonpolar
Valence electrons 8
Bonding / lone pairs 4 / 0
Central atom C
Electron regions 4

How to Draw CH4: Step-by-Step

1

Parse the molecular formula

CH4 -> C, H, H, H, H

The molecule contains one carbon atom and four hydrogen atoms.

2

Count total valence electrons

4 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 8

Carbon contributes 4 electrons. Four hydrogens contribute 4.

3

Choose the central atom

Central atom: C

Hydrogen is always terminal in a Lewis structure.

4

Draw the skeleton

Four C-H single bonds

Each hydrogen connects to carbon with one single bond.

5

Check the octet

4 bonds x 2 e- = 8 e-

The four bonds use all valence electrons and complete carbon's octet.

6

Final answer

The CH4 Lewis structure has carbon in the center with four C-H single bonds and no lone pairs on carbon.

Formal Charges

AtomFormal charge
C0
H0 each

Common Mistakes

  • Do not place lone pairs on carbon in methane.
  • The 2D drawing is only a flat representation of a tetrahedral molecule.

FAQ

What is the Lewis structure for CH4?

The CH4 Lewis structure has carbon in the center with four C-H single bonds and no lone pairs on carbon.

What is the Lewis dot structure for CH4?

The Lewis dot structure for CH4 is the electron-dot drawing shown above. The CH4 Lewis structure has carbon in the center with four C-H single bonds and no lone pairs on carbon.

How many valence electrons does CH4 have?

CH4 has 8 total valence electrons in this Lewis structure.

What is the molecular geometry of CH4?

CH4 has tetrahedral molecular geometry and tetrahedral electron geometry.

Is CH4 polar or nonpolar?

CH4 is nonpolar in the Lewis structure shown here. Its molecular geometry is Tetrahedral.

References

Method notes are aligned with standard Lewis structure steps: count valence electrons, draw a skeleton, distribute electrons, form multiple bonds when needed, and check formal charges and resonance.

OpenStax Chemistry 2e: Lewis Symbols and Structures and Formal Charges and Resonance.